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Tuesday, 14 September 1937

Mr BLAIN (Northern Territory) . - Although I am somewhat in a quandary in determining whether I shall or shall not support a bill which, although based on uneconomic principles, is of national importance to Australia, the Government also is faced with considerable difficulty. The Government, which is not entirely responsibile for the position, is confronted with the heavy responsibility of meeting the situation which might arise should Australia be deprived, of oil supplies from overseas for defence purposes. While the Government knows that it is sponsoring an uneconomic venture, it also realizes that if the undertaking were nationalized, the difficulties would be accentuated. In these circumstances, it is the responsibility of every honorable member to study the problem from every angle. I am incapable of analysing the agreement in the critical way in which it was examined by the honorable member for Echuca (Mr. McEwen), and, I must, therefore, rely upon other honorable members to study the proposal in detail in the interests of the taxpayers. The remarks of the honorable member for Echuca (Mr. McEwen) indicated that the agreement has been loosely conceived. The honorable member for Flinders (Mr. Fairbairn) said it was unwise to criticize the proposal unless one had an alternative to offer. The alternative I wish to bring under the notice of the House is the desirability of encouraging the production of power alcohol, which the Minister for Defence (Sir Archdale Parkhill) regards as uneconomic.

Sir Archdale Parkhill - We should deal "with one source of production at a time.

Mr BLAIN - I trust the Minister will not lose sight of the ability displayed by. Sir David Rivett, whose services should be invoked in connexion with the production of power alcohol in tropical regions. Even New Zealand is interested in the production of power alcohol, and in the Sunday News of the 15th December, 1934, a newspaper published in that dominion, the following paragraph appeared : -

Sir Archdale Parkhill - Will the honorable member accept my assurance that Mr. Davis and those with whom he is associated in this project would not entertain the proposal to exploit the possibilities of power alcohol. They are committed to Newnes.

Mr BLAIN - Last year, I was deprived of the opportunity to place my views on this subject before the House, and I trust that some courtesy will now bo extended to me. I propose to quote from a publication entitled : The possibilities of power alcohol and certain other fuels in Australia, by G. A. Cook. Dr. Cook is a Master of Science and a world authority on the subject. I do not propose to delay the House by quoting other authorities, but I shall show how difficulties in the matter of fuel oil supplies were overcome during the war.

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